A British yachtsman who stopped off at a remote island in the South Pacific helped to co-ordinate an international rescue for inhabitants after finding they had run out of supplies.

Alex Bond and three crew members had anchored off Kanton Island on their way from Hawaii to Australia when they discovered that the 14 adults and 10 children who live there were surviving on just fish and coconuts.

Bond, 46, from Penryn, Cornwall, contacted coastguards in Britain who relayed the message to the US coastguard and authorities in Honolulu.

Bond, speaking from his yacht, the Mary Powell, today said the crew had stopped at the island on 5 May because they liked the look of it.

"We were greeted by the islanders who were in a right state. It was the kids who were really bad. They have trouble growing what they need because of problems with the soil and were in desperate need of fruit, veg, rice, sugar and flour."

The islanders told the crew that their delivery of supplies was three months late and that a boat would not arrive for another five weeks.

Bond said: "We gave them what we could from the yacht and radioed home to get them more help. They were extremely glad to see us and we've stayed on to help co-ordinate the food delivery. We're not leaving until I know they are OK. They are wonderful people."

Richard Williams, of Falmouth coastguard, said the crew's action had saved lives and supplies were now on their way. "So far, we have been given a shopping list of provisions such as cooking fat, rice, sugar and flour which we have passed on to the Americans," said Williams.

Kanton, which is part of Kiribati, is a narrow ribbon of land with just one village.